James D.J. Brown
@jamesdjbrown.bsky.social
Professor of Political Science, Temple University Japan. Currently working on: “Spy Paradise: Russian Espionage against Japan, from the Cold War to Cyber Warfare.” This book is the sequel to “Cracking the Crab”.
Pinned
Cracking the Crab | Hurst Publishers
The fascinating history of Russia’s secret agents targeting Japan, from the Edo shogunate to the Second World War.
www.hurstpublishers.com
My book on the history of Russian espionage against Japan is now available for purchase.
(Also available via Amazon).
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/crackin...
(Also available via Amazon).
www.hurstpublishers.com/book/crackin...
Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro: “Where is North Korea aiming with the new combat experience & know-how they have brought back from Ukraine? We must squarely face the fact that Japan is one of the targets.”
www.toonippo.co.jp/articles/-/2...
www.toonippo.co.jp/articles/-/2...
北のウクライナ派兵「ターゲットは日本」／小泉防衛相、青森県八戸市で演説｜行政・政治｜青森ニュース｜Web東奥
小泉進次郎防衛相が29日、衆院選青森県2区の自民党候補応援のため青森県入りし、八戸市で演説した。ロシアのウクライナ侵攻と北朝鮮の派兵について「北朝鮮がウクライナから持ち帰った新しい戦闘の経験・知見で、どこを狙っているか。日本がターゲットの一つであることは直視しなければならない」との分析を示した。沖縄県での応援演説から青森県入りした小泉氏は防衛力を中心に演説。抑止力を高めるため、米軍普天間飛行場（沖...
www.toonippo.co.jp
January 30, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjiro: “Where is North Korea aiming with the new combat experience & know-how they have brought back from Ukraine? We must squarely face the fact that Japan is one of the targets.”
www.toonippo.co.jp/articles/-/2...
www.toonippo.co.jp/articles/-/2...
In this article I assess the likely social & political consequences for Russia of a large-scale return of their soldiers from the war in Ukraine. I explore a parallel with post-WW1 Italy when dissatisfaction with a “mutilated victory” fueled radicalism.
business.nikkei.com/atcl/seminar...
business.nikkei.com/atcl/seminar...
ウクライナ停戦はロシアにとって「終わりの始まり」 帰還兵が脅威に
ウクライナ戦争からの帰還兵はロシアに帰国した後、再び犯罪に手を染める可能性が高い。ある調査によると、帰還兵によって、すでに1000人以上のロシア人が死亡、または負傷している。死亡者551人のうち、半数以上が元受刑者だった帰還兵によって殺害された。
business.nikkei.com
January 29, 2026 at 11:39 PM
In this article I assess the likely social & political consequences for Russia of a large-scale return of their soldiers from the war in Ukraine. I explore a parallel with post-WW1 Italy when dissatisfaction with a “mutilated victory” fueled radicalism.
business.nikkei.com/atcl/seminar...
business.nikkei.com/atcl/seminar...
Kommersant reports that Chinese cruise operators are switching routes from Japan to Russia due to China’s political tensions with Japan.
*From Kobe to Kamchatka. From Naha to Nakhodka.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8377895
*From Kobe to Kamchatka. From Naha to Nakhodka.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8377895
Китайские круизные операторы переключились на Россию вместо Японии
Подробнее на сайте
www.kommersant.ru
January 28, 2026 at 8:28 AM
Kommersant reports that Chinese cruise operators are switching routes from Japan to Russia due to China’s political tensions with Japan.
*From Kobe to Kamchatka. From Naha to Nakhodka.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8377895
*From Kobe to Kamchatka. From Naha to Nakhodka.
www.kommersant.ru/doc/8377895
A Russian citizen has died while snowboarding in Japan. The 42-year-old man lost his life when caught in an avalanche while snowboarding off piste in Nagano prefecture.
iz.ru/2031421/2026...
iz.ru/2031421/2026...
В Японии россиянин погиб из-за схода лавины во время катания на сноуборде
В Японии гражданин России погиб в результате схода лавины, когда катался на сноуборде вне трасс в японской префектуре Нагано, сообщил 26 января телеканал SBC со ссылкой на правоохранительные органы.Сл...
iz.ru
January 28, 2026 at 5:11 AM
A Russian citizen has died while snowboarding in Japan. The 42-year-old man lost his life when caught in an avalanche while snowboarding off piste in Nagano prefecture.
iz.ru/2031421/2026...
iz.ru/2031421/2026...
250,000 Russians who have returned from the frontlines in Ukraine have been unable to find work. RU govt tried to hide this figure.
*I’m currently working on an article for the Japanese media about how returning soldiers will affect RU society & politics. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1267...
*I’m currently working on an article for the Japanese media about how returning soldiers will affect RU society & politics. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1267...
「25万人失業中」を検閲か 帰還兵巡りロ当局と報道：北海道新聞デジタル
【モスクワ共同】ロシア独立系メディア「ファリデイリー」は26日、ウクライナ侵攻を巡る大統領府高官の発言を伝えた国営ロシア通信の記事が修正されたと報じた。高官は「前線から帰還した25万人がどこにも就職...
www.hokkaido-np.co.jp
January 28, 2026 at 1:35 AM
250,000 Russians who have returned from the frontlines in Ukraine have been unable to find work. RU govt tried to hide this figure.
*I’m currently working on an article for the Japanese media about how returning soldiers will affect RU society & politics. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1267...
*I’m currently working on an article for the Japanese media about how returning soldiers will affect RU society & politics. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1267...
Russia has expanded military drills near the Japanese-claimed S Kurils. Russia had already announced live-fire drills north of Shikotan from 1 Jan to 1 Mar. To these have been added live-free drills south of Kunashiri from 1-28 Feb. Japan has protested. www.sankei.com/article/2026...
＜独自＞ロシアが北方領土での軍事演習拡大を通告 元日からの演習、国後島周辺を追加
不法占拠する北方領土周辺で元日から軍事演習を行うと通告していたロシアが、新たに国後（くなしり）島周辺を演習区域に追加したことが27日、日本政府関係者への取材で…
www.sankei.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Russia has expanded military drills near the Japanese-claimed S Kurils. Russia had already announced live-fire drills north of Shikotan from 1 Jan to 1 Mar. To these have been added live-free drills south of Kunashiri from 1-28 Feb. Japan has protested. www.sankei.com/article/2026...
More activity from a Russian IL-20 close to Japan. This time, on 26 Jan, the surveillance aircraft flew down the Pacific coast of Japan. Again, Japanese SDF jets were scrambled in response. www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
www.mod.go.jp
January 28, 2026 at 1:14 AM
More activity from a Russian IL-20 close to Japan. This time, on 26 Jan, the surveillance aircraft flew down the Pacific coast of Japan. Again, Japanese SDF jets were scrambled in response. www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
North Korean media report on 26 Jan that Kim Jong-un visited Mansudae Art Studio to inspect statues & sculptures dedicated to the DPRK forces dispatched to Russia to fight Ukraine. The statues are to mark the alliance of blood between DPRK & Russia. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1267...
北朝鮮にロシア派兵部隊の立像 「血盟関係」後世に継承か：北海道新聞デジタル
【北京共同】北朝鮮メディアは26日、金正恩朝鮮労働党総書記が25日に平壌の美術品創作機関「万寿台創作社」を訪れ、ウクライナに侵攻するロシアを支援するために派遣した北朝鮮軍部隊の功績をたたえる大型の立...
www.hokkaido-np.co.jp
January 27, 2026 at 4:58 AM
North Korean media report on 26 Jan that Kim Jong-un visited Mansudae Art Studio to inspect statues & sculptures dedicated to the DPRK forces dispatched to Russia to fight Ukraine. The statues are to mark the alliance of blood between DPRK & Russia. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1267...
On 23 Jan, a Russian IL-20 surveillance aircraft carried out a flight over the Sea of Japan close to Japan’s coastline. Japan’s ASDF scrambled jets in response. This follows the approach of Russian TU-95 strategic bombers on 21 Jan. www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
www.mod.go.jp
January 24, 2026 at 6:20 AM
On 23 Jan, a Russian IL-20 surveillance aircraft carried out a flight over the Sea of Japan close to Japan’s coastline. Japan’s ASDF scrambled jets in response. This follows the approach of Russian TU-95 strategic bombers on 21 Jan. www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
Trade turnover between Japan and Russia increased in 2025 for the first time in three years. Bilateral trade was up 2.15% to $8.01bn. Exports from Japan to Russia were up 11.85%. Imports by Japan from Russia were down 3.65%.
January 23, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Trade turnover between Japan and Russia increased in 2025 for the first time in three years. Bilateral trade was up 2.15% to $8.01bn. Exports from Japan to Russia were up 11.85%. Imports by Japan from Russia were down 3.65%.
6 Ukrainian health professionals are currently visiting Japan to receive specialist training, including in the treatment of patients suffering from exposure to radiation. www.nikkei.com/article/DGKK...
ウクライナ人医師ら、日本で放射線災害の対応学ぶ - 日本経済新聞
ロシアの侵略が続くウクライナの医療体制を強化しようと、ウクライナの救急医ら6人が21日、千葉市稲毛区の量子科学技術研究開発機構を訪れた。施設を見学し、放射能汚染検査などの実習をして放射線災害への対応を学んだ。講義では量子研の担当者らが、放射線災害の初動対応の在り方や、放射線量の測り方を伝えた。実習では、防護服を着た参加者が、個人線量計を使っ
www.nikkei.com
January 23, 2026 at 7:24 AM
6 Ukrainian health professionals are currently visiting Japan to receive specialist training, including in the treatment of patients suffering from exposure to radiation. www.nikkei.com/article/DGKK...
Japan Communist Party announces policy pledges for the election. They oppose the proposed anti-spy law, saying it entails “surveillance of citizens & violation of fundamental human rights”. The JCP also warns Japanese politics is shifting to the right. www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
共産が公約発表 「右へなびく」高市政権と対決、スパイ防止法に反対：朝日新聞
共産党は21日、衆院選（27日公示、2月8日投開票）の公約を発表した。「日本の政治は、多くの党が右へ右へとなびき、自民党政治にのみ込まれる状況が生まれている」とし、高市早苗政権への対決姿勢を強調。首…
www.asahi.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Japan Communist Party announces policy pledges for the election. They oppose the proposed anti-spy law, saying it entails “surveillance of citizens & violation of fundamental human rights”. The JCP also warns Japanese politics is shifting to the right. www.asahi.com/articles/ASV...
Sansei-to’s Matsuda Manabu says the proposed anti-spy law could be a key point in the election, with the LDP, Ishin, DPP & Sansei-to all in favour, & Chudo & the JCP opposed. He proposes raising public awareness of the spy threat.
*An anti-spy week perhaps? www.sankei.com/article/2026...
*An anti-spy week perhaps? www.sankei.com/article/2026...
「スパイ防止法制定は衆院選の争点」 参政・松田学氏「自維国参」と「中共」の対立軸指摘
参政党両院議員総会長の松田学参院議員は産経新聞のインタビューに応じ、同党が昨年11月に国会に提出したスパイ防止法案について「人権への配慮」と「国民への啓発活動…
www.sankei.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Sansei-to’s Matsuda Manabu says the proposed anti-spy law could be a key point in the election, with the LDP, Ishin, DPP & Sansei-to all in favour, & Chudo & the JCP opposed. He proposes raising public awareness of the spy threat.
*An anti-spy week perhaps? www.sankei.com/article/2026...
*An anti-spy week perhaps? www.sankei.com/article/2026...
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara says the recent Russian spy case is “regrettable.” Police are bringing charges against ex-employee of RU’s trade office in Tokyo (though the official has left JPN). Kihara uses case to emphasise Japan’s need for anti-spy law. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1265...
ロシアスパイ事件「遺憾」 木原氏、防止法制定に意欲：北海道新聞デジタル
木原稔官房長官は21日の記者会見で、警視庁が在日ロシア通商代表部元職員を不正競争防止法違反容疑で書類送検した事件を巡り、在任中の滞在目的を逸脱しており「遺憾だ」と述べた。インテリジェンス（情報活動）...
www.hokkaido-np.co.jp
January 22, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Chief Cabinet Secretary Kihara says the recent Russian spy case is “regrettable.” Police are bringing charges against ex-employee of RU’s trade office in Tokyo (though the official has left JPN). Kihara uses case to emphasise Japan’s need for anti-spy law. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1265...
On 21 Jan, two Russian TU-95 strategic bombers, accompanied by two fighter jets, approached Japanese air space over the Sea of Japan. Japan scrambled fighter jets in response.
www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
www.mod.go.jp
January 22, 2026 at 8:11 AM
On 21 Jan, two Russian TU-95 strategic bombers, accompanied by two fighter jets, approached Japanese air space over the Sea of Japan. Japan scrambled fighter jets in response.
www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
www.mod.go.jp/js/pdf/2026/...
Japan’s govt, via JICA & JICS, has provided Ukraine with two modular temporary bridges that can be quickly installed to repair roads. More such bridges are expected to be delivered in the coming months. www.ukrinform.jp/rubric-econo...
日本政府、ウクライナにモジュール式仮設橋２基設置 迅速な復興可能に
日本政府は、２０２５年を通じて、ウクライナの復興の一環で、同国に２基のモジュール式仮設橋を２基設置した。 — ウクルインフォルム.
www.ukrinform.jp
January 21, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Japan’s govt, via JICA & JICS, has provided Ukraine with two modular temporary bridges that can be quickly installed to repair roads. More such bridges are expected to be delivered in the coming months. www.ukrinform.jp/rubric-econo...
Japan’s govt has abolished the Cabinet Secretariat committee to Promote Japan-Russian Economic Coop. This is part of process to eliminate dormant committees. The committee was created under Abe to promote his 8-point econ coop plan with RU. It last met in 2019. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1265...
政府、休眠状態69会議廃止 ロシア経済協力会議も 負担軽減、業務効率化図る：北海道新聞デジタル
政府は20日、内閣官房と内閣府に置かれていた計69の会議体の廃止を決めたと発表した。歴代政権が「看板政策」を進めるために設置したが、当初の目的を達成したなどの理由で休眠状態となっていたものが対象。日ロ...
www.hokkaido-np.co.jp
January 21, 2026 at 1:06 AM
Japan’s govt has abolished the Cabinet Secretariat committee to Promote Japan-Russian Economic Coop. This is part of process to eliminate dormant committees. The committee was created under Abe to promote his 8-point econ coop plan with RU. It last met in 2019. www.hokkaido-np.co.jp/article/1265...
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov accuses Japan of “unhealthy tendencies connected with the desire of some political forces to return to the militarisation of society.” He also complains that the US’s Typhon missile system, which was temporarily deployed for drills in Japan, has not yet been withdrawn
January 20, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov accuses Japan of “unhealthy tendencies connected with the desire of some political forces to return to the militarisation of society.” He also complains that the US’s Typhon missile system, which was temporarily deployed for drills in Japan, has not yet been withdrawn
Ex-worker at Russian trade representation in Japan suspected of espionage.
*The case has many similarities with the SoftBank case (2020). Something new is that the Russian intelligence officer initially posed as a Ukrainian. www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
*The case has many similarities with the SoftBank case (2020). Something new is that the Russian intelligence officer initially posed as a Ukrainian. www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Ex-worker at Russian trade representation in Japan suspected of espionage | NHK WORLD-JAPAN News
Tokyo police have sent documents concerning a former worker at Russia's trade representation in Japan to prosecutors on suspicion of violating the act on unfair competition.
www3.nhk.or.jp
January 20, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Ex-worker at Russian trade representation in Japan suspected of espionage.
*The case has many similarities with the SoftBank case (2020). Something new is that the Russian intelligence officer initially posed as a Ukrainian. www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
*The case has many similarities with the SoftBank case (2020). Something new is that the Russian intelligence officer initially posed as a Ukrainian. www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/...
Japan has further adjusted its official travel advice for Ukraine. Although the overall advice remains not to travel to Ukraine, Japan’s govt now accepts unavoidable visits to Kyiv & surrounding areas, plus Lviv, for reasons such as reconstruction. www.ukrinform.jp/rubric-polyt...
日本外務省、ウクライナのキーウ市周辺や西部リヴィウへ州の渡航勧告を緩和
日本外務省は１９日、ウクライナ渡航の危険レベルの情報を更新し、これまでのキーウに加えて、キーウ市周辺や西部リヴィウ州の渡航に関し、これまでの渡航に関する勧告を一部緩和する内容の情報を追加した。 — ウクルインフォルム.
www.ukrinform.jp
January 20, 2026 at 6:21 AM
Japan has further adjusted its official travel advice for Ukraine. Although the overall advice remains not to travel to Ukraine, Japan’s govt now accepts unavoidable visits to Kyiv & surrounding areas, plus Lviv, for reasons such as reconstruction. www.ukrinform.jp/rubric-polyt...
In her speech announcing the election, Takaichi stressed her commitment to intel reforms: “The establishment of a National Intelligence Agency, creation of Committee on Foreign Investment in Japan … & enactment of anti-espionage law are all matters of urgent necessity" www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZ...
衆議院解散を表明、高市早苗首相の記者会見詳報 - 日本経済新聞
高市早苗首相の記者会見詳報は次の通り。【衆院解散・総選挙】23日に衆院を解散する決断をした。27日公示、2月8日投開票のスケジュールで速やかに総選挙を実施する。「自分たちで未来をつくる選挙」と名付けた。与党で過半数を目指す。高市内閣が取り組み始めたのは、全く新しい経済財政政策をはじめ、国の根幹に関わる重要政策の大転換だ。前回の衆院選では自民党の政権公約には書かれていなかった。解散は重い重い
www.nikkei.com
January 20, 2026 at 5:23 AM
In her speech announcing the election, Takaichi stressed her commitment to intel reforms: “The establishment of a National Intelligence Agency, creation of Committee on Foreign Investment in Japan … & enactment of anti-espionage law are all matters of urgent necessity" www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZ...
Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi misses Russian counterpart Lavrov. This, at least, is what the LDP’s Suzuki Muneo told the Russians during his visit to Moscow in December.
- Understandable. After all, Lavrov is such a charmer.
- Understandable. After all, Lavrov is such a charmer.
January 19, 2026 at 1:19 PM
Japan’s Foreign Minister Motegi misses Russian counterpart Lavrov. This, at least, is what the LDP’s Suzuki Muneo told the Russians during his visit to Moscow in December.
- Understandable. After all, Lavrov is such a charmer.
- Understandable. After all, Lavrov is such a charmer.
Vedomosti asks if Takaichi is “planning to restore relations with Russia.” This is based on Sato Masaru’s claim that Takaichi gave Suzuki Muneo an oral message to pass on to the Russian side during his recent Moscow visit.
www.vedomosti.ru/politics/art...
www.vedomosti.ru/politics/art...
Планирует ли премьер Японии Такаити восстанавливать отношения с Россией
Этому могут помочь неординарные посредники
www.vedomosti.ru
January 19, 2026 at 12:18 PM
Vedomosti asks if Takaichi is “planning to restore relations with Russia.” This is based on Sato Masaru’s claim that Takaichi gave Suzuki Muneo an oral message to pass on to the Russian side during his recent Moscow visit.
www.vedomosti.ru/politics/art...
www.vedomosti.ru/politics/art...
Sato Masaru, a close ally of Suzuki Muneo, speaks about Suzuki’s recent Moscow visit. He explains that, while the trip was officially personal, Suzuki met with FM Motegi & PM Takaichi beforehand and was entrusted with a message to pass on to the RU side. toyokeizai.net/articles/-/9...
鈴木宗男議員のモスクワ訪問をどうみるか（上）
鈴木宗男参議院議員（自民党）が2025年12月25日から27日にかけてモスクワを訪問し、複数のロシア要人と会談した。本件に関して、新聞報道だけを読んでいると事柄の本質を捉え損ねてしまう。〈木原稔官房長官は25日…
toyokeizai.net
January 17, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Sato Masaru, a close ally of Suzuki Muneo, speaks about Suzuki’s recent Moscow visit. He explains that, while the trip was officially personal, Suzuki met with FM Motegi & PM Takaichi beforehand and was entrusted with a message to pass on to the RU side. toyokeizai.net/articles/-/9...
Two new Japanese-built homes near Kyiv have been handed over to Ukrainian medical personnel. The homes are equipped with solar panels to provide electricity during power cuts caused by Russian air strikes. They were built by Daiwa Tec & funded by JICA. news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...
日本企業が支援の一環として ウクライナの医師などに住宅建設 | NHKニュース
【NHK】ウクライナの診療所で働く医師などのため、太陽光発電を活用した住宅を日本の企業が建設し、支援の一環として引き渡しました。首都キーウの近郊に建設されたのは、太陽光発電を活用することで外部からの電力供給が途
news.web.nhk
January 16, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Two new Japanese-built homes near Kyiv have been handed over to Ukrainian medical personnel. The homes are equipped with solar panels to provide electricity during power cuts caused by Russian air strikes. They were built by Daiwa Tec & funded by JICA. news.web.nhk/newsweb/na/n...